A plug-in is a software component that enables new features or file types within a web browser. Some tasks cannot be performed online without the appropriate plug-in installed, so web designers may provide a link where users can download the plug-in. Alternatively, web designers can use Java and Javascript. Because Java and Javascript capabilities are already built into web browsers, users do not have to download them.
Helper applications, or players, differ from plug-ins in that they run separately from the browser and are not integrated into the browser itself. Web browsers call upon helper applications when they come across an unrecognized embedded MIME-type. In these cases, the browser automatically launches a helper application to run the MIME-type outside of the browser.
The following table shows some common plug-ins and their uses according to About.com:
Common Plug-Ins
Uses
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Opens .pdf documents
Java Virtual Machine (JVM)
Runs Java applets
Microsoft Silverlight
Runs rich media, databases, and interactive web pages
HTML forms the foundation of the internet. All new web technology builds on this foundation. One exciting development in web technology is three-dimensional environments. With the advent of Intel's Internet 3-D Graphics Software, web designers can make high-performance 3-D worlds accessible to end users via the internet. These changes are part of the Web 3.0 phenomenon, which includes growing 3-D portals, artificial intelligence, and avatar representation.
A 2010 article on ComputerWorld.com predicted that 3-D worlds would completely change the way people interact with information online. A more recent video from July 2012 suggests that this prediction may well come true:
Visit the websites below to learn more about 3-D tools and technology:
Read the sections in Chapter 12 entitled "Plug-ins and Delivery Vehicles" and "Beyond HTML." (A PDF of the chapter is available on the homepage under Resources.) Then click on the links to complete the two quizzes:
Open and read the article on "Addiction to the 3-dimensional Internet." Discuss the article in the discussion board for this page. Make at least one original post and respond to at least three of your classmates' posts. Here are some questions you might consider:
Internet technology advances at a rapid pace. Do you feel that the internet has changed since this article was published in 2010? Has internet addiction become more widespread?
Have you ever participated in 3-D online environments? Based on your personal experience, do you agree or disagree with the article?
Do you have any suggestions for how the authors might improve or expand this study?
Click the gray button that reads Click here to create 3d text.
Select a font.
Select a color.
Set your dimensions. I recommend Default.
Set other variables (effect, speed, etc.). Please have the look Run forever.
Enter the text for the banner.
Click Make 3D Text!
Save the image according to the instructions.
Click on the Edit button for this page and use the File button to insert your banner directly underneath this assignment. Type your name above the banner. See below for an example:
Enter your avatar name, email, password, and birthday.
Click Sign Me Up!
Click Download Now to download the Club Cooee plug-in.
Click Run.
Club Cooee will automatically open.
Sign in with your email and password.
Use the toolbar to edit your avatar’s face and outfit.
Use the camera tool to take a snapshot of your avatar. It will be added automatically to a "ClubCooe" folder within "My Pictures."
Click on the Edit button for this page and use the File button to insert your snapshot directly underneath this assignment. Type your name above the avatar. See below for an example:
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Plug-ins and Delivery Vehicles
A plug-in is a software component that enables new features or file types within a web browser. Some tasks cannot be performed online without the appropriate plug-in installed, so web designers may provide a link where users can download the plug-in. Alternatively, web designers can use Java and Javascript. Because Java and Javascript capabilities are already built into web browsers, users do not have to download them.
Helper applications, or players, differ from plug-ins in that they run separately from the browser and are not integrated into the browser itself. Web browsers call upon helper applications when they come across an unrecognized embedded MIME-type. In these cases, the browser automatically launches a helper application to run the MIME-type outside of the browser.
The following table shows some common plug-ins and their uses according to About.com:
Common Plug-Ins
Uses
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Opens .pdf documents
Java Virtual Machine (JVM)
Runs Java applets
Microsoft Silverlight
Runs rich media, databases, and interactive web pages
Adobe Flash Player
Runs .swf animation movies and YouTube videos
Adobe Shockwave Player
Runs heavy-duty .swf movies
Real Audio Player
Plays .ram files
Apple Quicktime
Displays 3D virtual reality schematics
Windows Media Player
Runs a variety of movies and music formats
WinAmp
Plays .mp3 and .wav downloads
View the video to learn more about plug-ins:
Go to Web Browsers through Plug-ins and Delivery Vehicles for additional information and activities related to plug-ins and delivery vehicles.
Beyond HTML
HTML forms the foundation of the internet. All new web technology builds on this foundation. One exciting development in web technology is three-dimensional environments. With the advent of Intel's Internet 3-D Graphics Software, web designers can make high-performance 3-D worlds accessible to end users via the internet. These changes are part of the Web 3.0 phenomenon, which includes growing 3-D portals, artificial intelligence, and avatar representation.
A 2010 article on ComputerWorld.com predicted that 3-D worlds would completely change the way people interact with information online. A more recent video from July 2012 suggests that this prediction may well come true:
Visit the websites below to learn more about 3-D tools and technology:
www.adobe.com/products/director
www.havok.com
www.maxon.net
www.newtek.com
www.nvidia.com
www.righthemisphere.com
www.softimage.com
Quizzes
Read the sections in Chapter 12 entitled "Plug-ins and Delivery Vehicles" and "Beyond HTML." (A PDF of the chapter is available on the homepage under Resources.) Then click on the links to complete the two quizzes:
Quiz 1: Plug-ins and Delivery Vehicles
Quiz 2: Beyond HTML
Discussions
Discussion 1:
Open and read the article on "Addiction to the 3-dimensional Internet." Discuss the article in the discussion board for this page. Make at least one original post and respond to at least three of your classmates' posts. Here are some questions you might consider:
Internet technology advances at a rapid pace. Do you feel that the internet has changed since this article was published in 2010? Has internet addiction become more widespread?
Have you ever participated in 3-D online environments? Based on your personal experience, do you agree or disagree with the article?
Do you have any suggestions for how the authors might improve or expand this study?
Discussion 2:
Web browsers are changing the way they handle plug-ins. Read Mozilla takes drastic step to automatically block virtually all plug-ins in Firefox and Get ready for plug-in free browsing. Discuss these upcoming changes on the discussion board. Make at least one original post and respond to at least three of your classmates' posts. Here are some questions you might consider:
Will blocking/removing plug-ins actually improve the user experience?
Do you foresee any resistance to these changes? Read some of the comments below the articles.
Will the new Internet Explorer 10 restore Explorer's declining reputation as a web browser?
Mini Projects
3-D Banner:
Go to www.3dtextmaker.com
Click the gray button that reads Click here to create 3d text.
Select a font.
Select a color.
Set your dimensions. I recommend Default.
Set other variables (effect, speed, etc.). Please have the look Run forever.
Enter the text for the banner.
Click Make 3D Text!
Save the image according to the instructions.
Click on the Edit button for this page and use the File button to insert your banner directly underneath this assignment. Type your name above the banner. See below for an example:
Amy Vogelsang:
3-D Avatar:
Go to http://en.clubcooee.com/signup
Choose an avatar.
Enter your avatar name, email, password, and birthday.
Click Sign Me Up!
Click Download Now to download the Club Cooee plug-in.
Click Run.
Club Cooee will automatically open.
Sign in with your email and password.
Use the toolbar to edit your avatar’s face and outfit.
Use the camera tool to take a snapshot of your avatar. It will be added automatically to a "ClubCooe" folder within "My Pictures."
Click on the Edit button for this page and use the File button to insert your snapshot directly underneath this assignment. Type your name above the avatar. See below for an example:
Amy Vogelsang:
Contact Me
Feel free to email me (Amy Vogelsang) at av1457@stu.armstrong.edu or contact me in Twitter with any questions!
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Campus Technology: All Articles
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